“Doomsday” Budget Unveiled

Maryland analysts have outlined nearly $800 million in additional budget cuts to fill budget gaps in case lawmakers can't agree on new taxes or savings. WBAL reports Warren Deschenaux, director of the state's Office of Policy Analysis, presented a wide-ranging variety of cuts on Tuesday that would impact education, health, environmental programs and state agencies. It's being described as a "doomsday" budget plan. A big piece could come from eliminating the Geographic Cost of Education Index, which would save about $129 million. The GCEI helps areas where schooling costs more. Eliminating 500 state jobs would save another $30 million.